Understanding the Importance of the Nine Head Start Relationship-Based Competencies

Over the next couple months, we will be doing a blog series on the nine Head Start Relationship-Based Competencies, focusing on a different competency each week.

But before we can dive in on each individual competency, we’d first like to define the overall structure and purpose of the relationship-based competencies, and why they’re important for your Head Start/Early Head Start program.

Understanding and properly implementing the relationship-based competencies is a key component to meeting both the Head Start Performance Standards and the PFCE (Parent, Family, and Community Engagement) Framework. When staff are cognizant of the relationship-based competencies throughout their daily work, it provides a helpful reminder that Head Start serves not just the child, but the family and community too.

All staff should be well-versed in the relationship-based competencies and understand how they can help them improve outcomes when working with families and the community – from planning home visits, to forming community partnerships, to developing each and every parent engagement initiative.